Vehicular load sensing system and method using tilt sensors

A vehicle comprising:

• a chassis configured to support a body of the vehicle;
• a suspension system comprising (1) a wheel axle having a first end configured to support a first wheel on a first side of the chassis and a second end configured to support a second wheel on a second side of the chassis, and (2) a sway bar having an elongated central portion extending between two spaced-apart end portions, each spaced-part end portion angled relative to the central portion, the sway bar configured to deflect relative to at least one of (a) the chassis and (b) the wheel axle in response to a load on the vehicle;
• a first leaf spring coupled to the wheel axle proximate the first side of the chassis;
• a second leaf spring coupled to the wheel axle proximate the second side of the chassis;
• a first angle sensor coupled to at least one of (i) the wheel axle proximate the first wheel and (ii) the first leaf spring, the first angle sensor being configured to measure a first angle;
• a second angle sensor coupled to at least one of (i) the wheel axle proximate the second wheel, (ii) the second leaf spring and (iii) the sway bar, the second angle sensor being configured to measure a second angle;
• and
• a load measurement system comprising one or more processors and memory storing instructions implemented by the one or more processors to perform actions comprising:
• determining, based at least in part on the first angle, a first load associated with the chassis;
• determining, based at least in part on the second angle, a second load associated with the chassis;
• and
• determining, based on the first load and the second load, a measured vehicle load adjusted for tilt;
• a third angle sensor disposed on at least one of (a) the wheel axle and (b) the chassis and configured to measure a third angle,
• wherein the determining the measured vehicle load comprises, at least in part, determining a first difference between the first angle and the third angle and a second difference between the second angle and the third angle;
• wherein the third angle sensor is disposed, in a lateral direction, between the first angle sensor and the second angle sensor;
• and
• wherein:
• the first leaf spring extends between a first end and a second end,
• the second leaf spring extends between a third end and a fourth end,
• the first angle sensor is attached to the first leaf spring proximate the first end of the first leaf spring;
• and
• the second angle sensor is attached to the sway bar proximate a middle of the central portion of the sway bar.

A vehicle comprising:

• a chassis configured to support a body of the vehicle;
• a suspension system comprising (1) a wheel axle having a first end configured to support a first wheel on a first side of the chassis and a second end configured to support a second wheel on a second side of the chassis, and (2) a sway bar having an elongated central portion extending between two spaced-apart end portions, each spaced-part end portion angled relative to the central portion, the sway bar configured to deflect relative to at least one of (a) the chassis and (b) the wheel axle in response to a load on the vehicle;
• a first leaf spring coupled to the wheel axle proximate the first side of the chassis;
• a second leaf spring coupled to the wheel axle proximate the second side of the chassis;
• a first angle sensor coupled to at least one of (i) the wheel axle proximate the first wheel and (ii) the first leaf spring, the first angle sensor being configured to measure a first angle;
• a second angle sensor coupled to at least one of (i) the wheel axle proximate the second wheel, (ii) the second leaf spring and (iii) the sway bar, the second angle sensor being configured to measure a second angle;
• and
• a load measurement system comprising one or more processors and memory storing instructions implemented by the one or more processors to perform actions comprising:
• determining, based at least in part on the first angle, a first load associated with the chassis;
• determining, based at least in part on the second angle, a second load associated with the chassis;
• and
• determining, based on the first load and the second load, a measured vehicle load adjusted for tilt;
• and
• the wheel axle includes a first axle arm proximate the first wheel and a second axle arm proximate the second wheel;
• the first angle sensor is configured to determine an angular deflection of the first axle arm proximate the first wheel;
• and
• the second angle sensor is configured to determine an angular displacement of at least one of the spaced-part end portion of the sway bar.